Mark Constantine, 73, co-founded cosmetic chain Lush and is the firm’s long-time chief executive. The multinational cosmetics brand is world-famous for its ethical consumerism and cutting-edge product development. Married to fellow co-founder Mo, Constantine balances his professional life with a rich family life that includes three children and eleven grandchildren. He goes on to make the argument that in order for any business to thrive, family must come first. In his opinion, that’s how you ensure a long-term win.
Constantine’s entrepreneurial story started at age 14 when his first job was working for a barber. In 1977, he made a radical move in his career and professional life, joining The Body Shop. There, he was hands on in the manufacturing and distribution of products. This experience laid the foundation for his future success with Lush, which boasts 869 outlets worldwide and an impressive annual turnover of £690 million.
As Lush’s ethical buyer, Constantine seeks to do just the opposite. He doesn’t shy away from describing himself as an “over-achiever and a nerd,” using that detail to illustrate a passion for learning about all kinds of topics. His daily routine perfectly embodies this philosophy. He’s even made a hobby of writing about birdsong, meditating, and learning the Alexander technique to improve his craft and body.
Family values run deep Throughout every part of Lush’s operations, family values are very apparent. Both of Constantine’s children are employees of the company. Their participation only adds to his conviction that having a family involved is critical to keeping a business’s purpose and dream alive. He claims that retaining the family in their company helps maintain a robust corporate culture.
Lush has been under attack for its anti-trafficking operations in recent months which led to a fiery response to their backlash by the company’s communications director.
“We made mistakes, we found those mistakes and have paid the money we owed, and we are ensuring those errors cannot happen again.” – Lush spokesperson
Constantine’s leadership style is definitely proactive. He acted quickly when issues were brought up regarding the company.
“Since these concerns were raised we swiftly developed an action plan to address the areas of concern.” – Lush spokesperson
He is a strong proponent of keeping Lush’s values and culture intact, particularly during the hard times. As an aside, in reflecting on the sale of businesses past, he’s been publicly critical of the decision to sell Lush.
“If you’ve sold your business to someone else, I think you’re asking a lot for them to do everything you want. What should Ben and Jerry have done? They should never have sold.” – Mark Constantine
This unwavering commitment to stay in control of the company’s future direction even connects to his focus on ethical behavior and sustainability.
Constantine’s style of leadership is just as strategic — he compares it to war room battle readiness.
“You have your troops, you have your supplies. Everything’s organised and ready. And then it’s just a question of when will the onslaught occur?” – Mark Constantine
Through his vision, he seeks to achieve more—just as much success as a business success story, but as a powerful driver of economic contributions.
“It’s good news for everyone and it’s good for the economy because you’ve got more money coming into the economy at the biggest point.” – Mark Constantine
As Lush continues to grow, Constantine remains focused on using the company’s voice to advocate for ethical practices and social responsibility. He is well aware that presiding over one of the world’s most potent brands carries tremendous responsibility.
“I like to serve. I like the Jeeves kind of feeling,” – Mark Constantine
This motto sums up his philosophy of leadership and service to his immediate family and the greater community.